Garth Crooks explains why he is so impressed with Eric Bailly's Premier League debut for Manchester United

Garth Crooks says Eric Bailly’s debut performances is a good sign for Manchester United after Sunday’s 3-1 win at Bournemouth.

The Ivory Coast international made his United debut at Vitality Stadium after the centre-half completed a £30m move to Old Trafford from La Liga side Villarreal in June.

This performance by Bailly bodes well for United and Mourinho

Garth Crooks

Bailly started alongside Netherlands international Daley Blind at centre-half as Jose Mourinho’s side made a winning start to their Premier League campaign.

The 22-year-old was named the man of the match following his composed performance at the back for the 20-time English champions.

And former Tottenham Hotspur forward Crooks gave Bailly a glowing review but warned the United defender that there will be sterner tests to come.

“What a Premier League debut. There was power and pace from a centre-back who can pass a ball. I can’t remember the last time I saw a defender not give the ball away throughout the entire 90 minutes,” Crooks told BBC Sport.

“This performance by Bailly bodes well for United and Mourinho, but this was against a Bournemouth side who seemed reluctant to take the risks required to really test defenders like him. There is always a mistake in any defender. The question is: can the striker find it?”

United are on top of the Premier League table following their 3-1 victory over Bournemouth on the south coast.

Juan Mata broke the deadlock in the first half before Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic eased United to victory in their Premier League opener.